Wow, 10 years! Reading your post on this big milestone in your life was a walk down memory lane for me. Man, I remember all of those pictures, those stories, those days so well. Seems like yesterday - kind of -:) I'm so happy to have been able to be a part of you guys life and to have shared countless great memories! I remember that morning at church when we all (3,4,5?? of us) stared over the balcony at Brock (after you pointed him out) just in time for him to look up at us. I still look back fondly on Mankato and all the time spent hanging out with you guys -sharing a plate (and fork) of Orange Chicken in the mall (yummy food,scary owner - only 1 fork & 1 napkin per order! ) I remember introducing Brock to his own Dad at your wedding! Reading your post, it hit me in a big way, just how intertwined our lives are and how that is exactly God's plan. His plan for families and church. Just as the church is likened to ONE body where we are ALL a part and very much inter-connected. We NEED people and our lives are so greatly enriched by eachother. That hit me anew and more deeply in looking over that post. I was seeing your life these past 10 years and yet it felt like my life too. Congrats on the past 10 years! Wishing you many more!

So hard to believe that it has been a year since the Lord brought our sweet son, Grayson Jude, into our life. What a delight he has been! He is walking like crazy - running, really. We love his bright smile and silly faces! He says a few words "thank you", "Dixie" , "Bye- Bye", and of course, "Daddy" and "Mama". What a joy he is!

He seemed so tiny to us after our 3 previous 8 pounders

Big brother and sister are so excited!

Beautiful Boy!

Oh, my sweet boy! I love you so much! More everyday. I can't wait to see the Lord's plan for you unfold.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

We were so excited to have my Mom, my sister, Amber and her 3 children, Madison, Isaac and Hannah come to visit us. We had a wonderful time! The 9 days went by WAY to quickly. Each day was full to the brim. Amber has documented it so well on her blog that I will just let you check it out. Why reinvent the wheel? :-) I will post some of my pictures.

Jack and Madison are within 1 year in age and best buds! They played non-stop!

You can see by the wet sand that the water hit them and Jude looks none too happy about it!

Jude and Hannah are 9 days apart. I hope they will be as close as Jack and Madison. They get along well so far. What cuties!

Sorry, Amber, for stealing your picture ( and a few others!) This was taken at "The Crab Trap" in Ft. Walton Beach, as was the one below. So much fun!

Amber, Madison,Isaac & Hannah

Grandma Mary with Isaac and Mary

Thank you Mom & Amber for driving 3 DAYS!! to come visit us! We really appreciate it. It was a lovely time. It was fun to get to know my nieces and nephew better. They change so quickly. They are sweet, funny children and I look forward to watching them grow.I so, so wish that we were all neighbors. What fun we would have! Oh well, we will have to be satisfied with some great visits and nearly daily talks! I can't wait until the next time you come down, but I guess, it is my turn now!

Friday, May 16, 2008

It was wonderful to be able to spend Mother's Day with my Mom this year. She and my sister, Amber, along with Amber's 3 kiddoes drove for 3 days to come visit us. THANKS!! We had a great time! I am so thankful to have a mother who is also a friend. We have so much fun together. I don't remember a time when I didn't love to spend time with my Mom as much as any friend. Thank you Mom for being that kind of a Mother! Thank you for including me in your daily life and always being interested in mine.

Amber & I with Mom.

Mom with my niece, Hannah.

Grayson took us out to a Japanese steakhousefor Mother's Day. It was delicious! The kidsloved it too.

I have to steal this quote from my sister Amber's blog- it is just so good! "Godly womanhood ... the very phrase sounds strange in our ears. We never hear it now. We hear about every othertype of women: beautiful women, smart women, sophisticatedwomen, career women, talented women, divorced women. But so seldom do we hear of a godly woman - or of a godly maneither, for that matter. We believe women come nearer to fulfilling their God-given function in the home than anywhere else. It is a much nobler thing to be a good wife, than to be Miss America. It is a greater achievement to establish a Christian home than it is toproduce a second-rate novel filled with filth. It is a far, far better thingin the realms of morals to be old-fashioned, than to be ultra-modern. The world has enough women who know how to be smart. It needs women who are willing to be simple. The world has enough women who know how to be brilliant. It needs some who will be brave. The world has enough women who are popular. It needs more who are pure. We need women, and men, too, who would rather be morally right than socially correct."- Former U.S. Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall, 1940's

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Grayson travels quite a bit with this new job.Often, when his trip takes him to Nashville,we go with him. This last trip was particularlyfun since we stayed in a beautiful hoteldowntown and had the company of several friends.Amy and Jennifer also came with their husbandsand brought their children. We had a great timeswimming, going on walks and seeing the sights.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

I know this is a blurry picture, but I wanted toshow the view from our 7th floor window.It was amazing!

View of lobby from our floor.

Mary was fascinated ( possibly a bit frightened)by this picture. Whenever we walked by it,shewould say something about "the big monkeynot being mean to the lady" in an effort to keepherself from being scared.